Officials are offering a reward for information leading to an arrest. Mead-Brause said the dog began experiencing kidney failure on Saturday and it was decided that the dog had little chance of recovering over the long term.

Authorities said the dog was doused with gasoline Wednesday in the 1700 block of Calhoun Street in southwest Baltimore and then set on fire.

Baltimore city police Officer Syreeta Teel said she used her sweatshirt to put the fire out.

"This was one of the most cruel things I've ever seen. It hurt me to my heart," Teel said. "She was screaming, rolling around on the ground. I've never heard a dog make that sound."

The dog, who rescuers had nicknamed Phoenix and Lil Mercy, was taken to BARCS, and then taken to the Swan Harbor Animal Hospital.

"She came in walking and wagging her tail, looking at the staff and looking for comfort," said BARCS Executive Director Jennifer Mead-Brause.

Phoenix was covered in salve, wrapped in bandages and given pain medication.

"We're going to do quite a bit of prayer, a lot of antibiotics, a lot of bandage changes ? just sometimes, the body just kind of goes into shutdown, really," said veterinarian Dr. Marcella Bonner at that time.

Bonner said the dog had burns on 98 percent of her body.

"I think she's going to get worse before she gets better, if she does get better," Bonner said. "But she's trying. I can't believe she's even survived what she's survived."

Phoenix received help through a BARCS program called the Franky Fund that helps homeless and abused animals get the medical care they need.

BARCS said it continues to collect a reward, which has grown to $3,000 for information leading to an arrest or a conviction in the case.

Those who donate to the fund can help cover the cost of Phoenix?s initial treatment and help others like her. To do so, visit the BARCS Web site.

?No animal deserves this type of treatment,? Mead-Brause said. ?This is one of the most severe cases of animal cruelty I've ever seen.?

Bonner said she sees animal cruelty all too often. She said Phoenix's case is a reminder that animal abuse can happen right under your nose.

"For me, I see it at least two times a year. We're going to make it hopefully better for all animals that are victims of this tragic abuse," she said.

She said even if you're not worried about the animal, call the police because of the offender.

"Studies show this is just the beginning. When people go do these things to animals, it goes on that the next victim is a human or a child. This is the first warning sign," Bonner said.

Police currently don't have any information on an owner or a suspect.

Call 410-396-4698 and ask for the animal enforcement officer supervisor at the Bureau of Animal Control or call police if you have information.

If no one is caught after six months, the money used for the reward will roll over into the Franky Fund.